Calling all Grand Canyon University Spring 2014 Hopefuls!!!

MrsBond · Sep 3, 2013

Hi Ablazing and Bee -

Thanks for your comments on Micro! I was feeling slightly overwhelmed with all of the resources they provided for material (textbook, online exercises, outlines, study guides etc.), but I think (hope!) I have the information under control. Ablazing - I did well in my stats class from Rio suprisingly, so I'm sure you're going to do great at PVCC.

Re: the application process - I am still waiting for confirmation that GCU has all of my official transcripts, so I am a little anxious about that. Did either of you have transcripts sent from any of the Maricopa colleges? Mine were sent a few weeks ago and I'm waiting to hear back from my advisor that they have them.

And to answer an earlier question, after speaking with my advisor, I think I am going to apply to the Banner location. We want to move closer to my campus when our lease is up and it seems there are more housing options out that way (and a little more affordable than Scottsdale!)

MrsBond · Sep 4, 2013

Heard back from my advisor and all of my transcripts are in, so yay, don't have to worry about that anymore. I also confirmed with him that they are sending out e-mails re: acceptance on October 15th.

I am going to just buckle down and focus on Micro and hopefully that will keep me preoccupied until October!

Bee511 · Sep 5, 2013

My Maricopa transcripts took 4 weeks (gasp!) to go through! It was very frustrating, as I requested them twice. Not sure whose end that fell on but I'm just glad they finally came in. I know what it feels like to be anxious! Glad to hear yours are in safely as well. Thanks for the confirmation of October 15 acceptance date, I too was wondering about the exact date. It is a Tuesday, so I'm wondering if they will go out that exact day.. I'm assuming so now though! Our classes will definitly keep us super busy until then. I'm so nervous! It makes sense to apply for the school which is closest to your house- that's what I'm doing as I live in Scottsdale already so the campus here is less than 10 miles away. My friend just started her program at Banner and she loves it! If I was closer out there I would apply to that one for sure!

Kbev · Sep 15, 2013

Everyone sounds like they are doing really good on their TEAS. I have had a family issue to attend to and was exhausted when I took it. I only scored a 77 on math and a 79 on reading. My GPA though is a 3.9. Is anyone in the same boat as me? I felt discouraged when I read the posts because I didn't do near as well as it sounds like everyone else is.

andiisme · Sep 15, 2013

I applied for the Spring 2014 Scottsdale Campus also! Very excited to see someone started this thread. I don't recall my TEAS score exactly, as I took it back in March or so, but I know one score was mid to high 80s (Math I believe) and other one was 90+. I did not take the other two as they are not at all required. My GPA is not so hot, though: 3.2. I work for SHC so I'm hoping that helps me out quite a bit. My advisor insisted I still apply, and he told me he would call if, after looking through applications for SHC campus it appeared too competitive for me and could then help me pick a less competitive campus. He said if I don't hear from him than to assume all is well. So I'm crossing my fingers that I get no news til Oct 15th :)

How many of you guys are working with an affiliated hospital network? And has anyone heard how many spots are available vs how many applicants. I feel like they emphasize that it's competitive but in reality a lot of people are not looking to pay so much and therefore GCU takes a lot of less than stellar applications. But we'll see. Fingers crossed for all of us!

MrsBond · Sep 16, 2013

Everyone sounds like they are doing really good on their TEAS. I have had a family issue to attend to and was exhausted when I took it. I only scored a 77 on math and a 79 on reading. My GPA though is a 3.9. Is anyone in the same boat as me? I felt discouraged when I read the posts because I didn't do near as well as it sounds like everyone else is.

Hi Kbev:

I am applying for the spring and have taken comfort in reading threads from previous semesters; it really seems there is always a range of GPA/TEAS scores for the people posting here that do get in (and only a fraction of applicants are actually posting here), and you have an excellent GPA (higher than mine and most others posting!) so I wouldn't feel discouraged. Good luck to you!

MrsBond · Sep 16, 2013

I applied for the Spring 2014 Scottsdale Campus also! Very excited to see someone started this thread. I don't recall my TEAS score exactly, as I took it back in March or so, but I know one score was mid to high 80s (Math I believe) and other one was 90+. I did not take the other two as they are not at all required. My GPA is not so hot, though: 3.2. I work for SHC so I'm hoping that helps me out quite a bit. My advisor insisted I still apply, and he told me he would call if, after looking through applications for SHC campus it appeared too competitive for me and could then help me pick a less competitive campus. He said if I don't hear from him than to assume all is well. So I'm crossing my fingers that I get no news til Oct 15th :)
How many of you guys are working with an affiliated hospital network? And has anyone heard how many spots are available vs how many applicants. I feel like they emphasize that it's competitive but in reality a lot of people are not looking to pay so much and therefore GCU takes a lot of less than stellar applications. But we'll see. Fingers crossed for all of us!

Hi Andiisme:

I am applying for the spring, am not currently working/volunteering with an affiliated hospital and was torn between applying to Scottsdale and Banner; both belong to excellent health care systems, and I really want to extern at my location (if I am accepted). I discussed this with my advisor and he indicated that Scottsdale prefers to place current employees as externs. I am not sure how much that plays into acceptance criteria, but I definitely think it is a plus that you work at Scottsdale b/c it sounds like it is hard to get an extern/new grad job with them unless you already are affiliated (and wouldn't GCU want their grads to have the best chances at getting placed?) Anyway, that is just my opinion/impression based on anecdotal information I have observed.

Re: your GPA etc., it seems other applicants have been accepted with similar scores (based on information in previous threads). Granted, every application period is going to be different, but my impression is that Scottsdale is one of the more competitive locations, and you didn't hear from your advisor, so I would definitely keep your chin up! Anyway, sorry for the ramble, and definitely fingers crossed for you and everyone else!

andiisme · Sep 16, 2013

I just spoke with my advisor again a little bit ago. Seems that the Maricopa colleges are a lil behind in sending over official transcripts, mine included. He said not to worry but to contact him on Monday (week from today). If they haven't received it yet at that time then he'll have me come hand deliver it that day. Also he said that by next Monday he'll have had a chance to look through the other applicants and let me know how many spots available vs # of applicants for SHC location and we'll adjust to another campus if needed but he seems to think I have a competitive application due to the fact that I'm an employee (which does help give preference in both application and later hiring process. Although we do sometimes hire outside of our hospital. Just hired couple new grads not SHC techs within past few months onto our unit ).

When I find out on Monday how many applicants are in the pool for SHC campus vs spots available I will post to let all you know on here. *fingers crossed* everyone! Hopefully we'll all be meeting soon.

I spoke with a couple people from GCU, one who started summer program (but also knew about Fall at SHC) and one who started just this fall at Banner and seems that Level 1 schedule for them is Mon-Thurs 8-4 then it changes some when clinicals begin, with there then being less class/lab time. I think from what I've been told the classes are 2 at a time, 7 weeks long then one week break then you start two more classes for the second half of Level 1. However, the student who is at Banner Boswell and started this fall is doing 16 week classes all 4 at a time. So we'll see. However both current students said they really enjoyed the schedule and said although busy it moves fast and was very manageable so far. So that's encouraging for me!

MrsBond · Sep 17, 2013

Hey Andi-

That's great news they are being so accommodating about your transcripts. I would definitely be interested in knowing the number of applicants they had this time around if you find out (I didn't think to ask, I just had tunnel vision about making sure my application was complete). I appreciate you sharing that schedule information and that your friends find it manageable, definitely very encouraging!

andiisme · Sep 17, 2013

Ill definitely keep you guys posted on info as I get it.

Here's what I found out:

They DID change the structure, because it is now (as of this Fall cohort) a 16 month instead of 20 month plan. Schedules are every 16 weeks, 4 classes at a time. Like I said Banner Boswell current level 1 student said they go 9-3 Mon-thurs and his school also has a 10-4 group. A Level 2 student at SHC heard that the Level 1 is there Mon-Thurs 8-4 (I would guess its closer to the Boswell students hours, cuz she emphasized that it was Mon-Thurs vs hers which was only 2 days a week when she did Level 1 as part of the 20 month program)

Either way that's not too bad. The Boswell student said the schedule is the same for all of Level 1. Their clinicals start in Jan and it will change then. Also they have Fall, Winter & Spring breaks. Our first break would be March 17-21. (My friend was given the schedule because she is getting married and had to pick a date based on that. She's applying for same program & getting married March 15th).

toy85 · Sep 20, 2013

Ill definitely keep you guys posted on info as I get it.
Here's what I found out:
They DID change the structure, because it is now (as of this Fall cohort) a 16 month instead of 20 month plan. Schedules are every 16 weeks, 4 classes at a time. Like I said Banner Boswell current level 1 student said they go 9-3 Mon-thurs and his school also has a 10-4 group. A Level 2 student at SHC heard that the Level 1 is there Mon-Thurs 8-4 (I would guess its closer to the Boswell students hours, cuz she emphasized that it was Mon-Thurs vs hers which was only 2 days a week when she did Level 1 as part of the 20 month program)
Either way that's not too bad. The Boswell student said the schedule is the same for all of Level 1. Their clinicals start in Jan and it will change then. Also they have Fall, Winter & Spring breaks. Our first break would be March 17-21. (My friend was given the schedule because she is getting married and had to pick a date based on that. She's applying for same program & getting married March 15th).

Just a little FYI, it's only 4 classes this semester. Next semester it's only 2. (Medsurg & I forgot the other one)

MrsBond · Sep 20, 2013

Thanks for the additional info, Andi! And if anyone is counting, 25 more days till we find out!

Have a good weekend, everyone :-)